What's the Best Way to Drop Hints About the Engagement Ring I Want?

You've found someone you love, and this feels like forever. Is there anything more exhilarating? And of course, talking about marriage means you've got some shopping to do — engagement ring shopping, that is! While some couples opt to shop together, others would prefer that The Ring be a surprise. So what's the best way to drop hints and make sure you get a ring you'll love? We've got a few ideas, straight from the experts.

You have a few options when it comes to subtly (or not-so-subtly) dropping hints about your dream engagement ring. The first is to enlist a friend. The two of you can head out to look at rings, then your BFF can take notes to share with your significant other. This will help steer him or her in the right direction, without the two of you having to head to the jewelry store together.

The next? Doing a little research on your own and leaving clues around the house. That could mean websites up on your laptop, magazines open to specific pages on the coffee table or, for the most bold of brides-to-be, a picture stuck to the fridge. Hey, you've got to share your inspiration somehow!

If you really want to narrow things down (and get a little inspiration of your own), you could always turn to Reverie, a new website that combines Pinterest with a personality and style quiz to help narrow down what you might like, then inspire you with all sorts of gorgeous rings that fit your specifications. Create a profile full of rings that caught your eye, as well as important specifics like your ring size, whether you'd prefer a diamond or a different stone, the stone's shape, metal preference, and setting (from a classic solitaire to a double halo). While you can't shop directly from the site (yet!), it's full of pictures of real life engagement rings, not ultra-photoshopped brand images, so you'll get a real idea of what you do and don't love. Once you've gotten your profile where you want it, you can share your inspiration board and specifics directly with your significant other, so they know exactly where to start when they head to the jewelry store.